US833381A - Target-throwing trap. - Google Patents

Description

PATENTBD OCT. 16, 1906. E. D. FULFORD, DEOD.

M. FULFOBD. ADMINISTEATRIX.

TARGET THROWING TRAP.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 26, 1904.

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PATENTED OCT. 16, 1906 E. D. FULFORD, DEGD.

m. rULronn, ADMINISTBATBIK. TARGET THROWING TRAP.

APPLICATION FILED AUGJZG, 1904.

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E 0 0 Y M 0 M w W H J j E No. 833,381. PATENTED OGT.16, 1906. E. D. FULFORD, DBCD.

M. IULIOBD, ADMINISTBATRIX, .7 TARGET THROWING TRAP.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 26, 1904.

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- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ElLIJA'H D. FULFORD, OF UTIUA, NEW YORK; MATILDA FULFORD, AD-

MINISTRATRIX OF SAID ELIJ AH D. FULFORD, DECEASED, ASSIGNOR TO JOHN H. BROOKMAN AND CHARLES B. WARNER, OF CENTRAL CITY, IOWA.

TARGET-THROWING TRAP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 16, 1906.

Application filad August 26, 1904. Serial No. 222,834-

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ELIJAH D. FULFORD,

bf Utica, in-the county of Oneida and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Target Throwing Traps; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the characters of reference marked thereon, which form part of this specification.

The object of my resent invention is to provide an improve target-throwing trap which is simple and effective in construction and which, among other thin s, embodies the advantage of returning the t rowing-arm to starting position automatically and resetting the device for a repetition of the throwing operation in a convenient and effective manner.

In the drawings, Figure 1 shows a side elevation of my improved trap in the set position. Fig. 2 shows a plan view of the same.

Figs. 3 to 9, inclusive, show details of the 0perative mechanism. Figs. 10 to 14, inclusive, show, on an enlarged scale and in various details, the target-holder employed in connec tion with the'tra Referring to the reference characters in a more particular descri tion of the device, 1 indicates a substantia ly circular base-plate mounted, by means of suitable le s or-feet, on a solid foundation, as 2. The pfate 1 supports in an upright position the standard or column 3, which is adapted to rotate on its verLical axis and is provided with an extension 3, affording a lever and handle by means of which the rotation of the column on its vertical axis can be effected and controlled. The arm 3 is provided'with a bolt-catch 4" and a springfor operating the same in one direction and a, ban -lever 5 for operating it in the other direction. The bolt 4 is adapted to engage in notches 1 in a portion of the periphery of the base-platel. Mounted on the top of the column 3 ona horizontal pivot 5 is the trap-frame 6, on which larger part of the working parts of the trap are mounted. The

frame 6 1s provided with an arm 6, extending to the arm 3, and the angle of the frame 6 may be adjusted by changing the position of the pin coupling the arms 3 and 6 toether, there being provided a series of. holes or that purpose, as shown. On a substantially vertical ivot 7 in one end of the frame 6 is mounted t e target-throwing arm 8. This arm extends to some little distance on one side of the pivot and carries on its end the target-holding device 9 and is extended to the other side of the pivot a comparatively short distance and carries on that end the pin or post 10, afiording a means for attachment of one end of the main spring 11. The other end of the main sprin 11 is attached to a sliding bar 12, mounte in bearing 13 and 14 on the frame 6 to slide longitudinally a limited distance. The spring 11 willslide the bar 12 in one directionnamely, toward the right, as shown in Fig. 2and for moving the bar in the opposite direction to a set position there is provided a lever 15, forked at its u er end to receive the bar 12, pivoted to t e ame 6 at 16 and havin attached at its lower end the o crating c ain or cable 17. The upper forke end of the lever 15 is ada ted to engage with a cross-pin 18, provide in the end of the sliding bar 12. For securing the spring-bar 12 in its set position with the spring 11 under tension there is provided a catch 19 in the form of a bell-crank lever, pivoted at 20 to the end of the frame 6. One arm of the'catch is adapted to engage in a notch in the side of the bar 12, particularly as shown in Figs. 4 and 8, and it is operated into engaging position in said notch by means of a spring 21. For tripping the catch 19 there is provided a rock-shaft 22, mounted in suitable bearings at each end of and extending substantially the full-length of the frame 6. This shaft has on one end a pin or projection 22, adapted to en a e with the catch 19. At the opposite en t e shaft 22 also has a projection 22. On the lower end of the pivot or shaft 7 of the throwing-arm, which is fixed in the throwing-arm and rotates therewith, is a projecting trip-finger 23. This trip-finger is secured to the shaft 7, so as to move with the arm 8 and is adapted to engage the projection 22 on the shaft 22. For securing the throwing-arm 8 in starting or set osit'ion there is provided a catch 24, pivoted to the frame and'having the engaging shoulder or part thrown upinto' operative position by means of the spring '26. For disengaging the catch 24 there is provided a longitudinally-moving rod 27, mounted in a bearing 28 on the frame 6 and secured at one end to the setting-lever 15. At the other end the tripping-rod 27 is provided with a latch or catch 29, the operative end of which is adapted to engage with a pin or shoulder in the throwing-arm catch 24.

The target-holder consists of a main plate 40 of the form shown particularly in Figs. 1 1 and 12 and carrying a parallel bar or piece 41, supported at a little distance therefrom by means of the posts or columns 42 and 43. Thisspace is provided for the insertion of the ed e of the target T, which is of the common disi or saucer form. The body of the target-holder is ivoted to the end of the throwing-a'rm 8, t e same being mounted on an elongated pivot 44 and provided with a stiif s ring 45 to increase the friction between t e target-holder and the end of the arm. Pivoted to the body of the target-holder at 46 and projectingtherefrom in a direction to give a' general Y shape to the whole is the holding-arm 47, rovided on its outer end witha cylindricaf projection 48, adapted to engage one edge of the target, as shown particularly in Fig. 10. For drawing in the arm 47 toward the other branch of the holder there is provided a spring 49, mounted on a projecting end of the rod 50, which asses throu h an opening in the post 43 an is attache at 51 to the arm 47.

51 is an upright post on the arm 47 and also rovides a pivot for the catch 60. The catch has a notch 61, which when the catch is in position to permit it will receive the base of the post 43. The catch 60 is thrown into engaginr position by a spring 62 and is provided wita projecting arm 63, adapted to engage with one edge of the target when inserted in the space between the parts 40 and 41 of the target-holder body or frame.

For holding the target-holder substantially in line with the arm 8 when viewed fromthe top there is provided a spring 65, preferably of wire, secured at one end to the target-holder frame and at the other to the arm 8 and also preferably taking several turns around the pivot 44. The operation of the device as thus far described may be briefly given as follows: Startingwith the device in the position shown in Fi 1, with a target in the targetholder, the t owing-:arm 8 is first tripped by drawing on the chain 17. This is accomplished by the tripping-rod 27 drawing the catch 29 against the catch 24, retiring it (24) sufficiently to free the throwing-arm 8. When so freed, the throwing-arm makes, a rapid outward movement, as indicated by the dotted line in Fig. 2, and when in a 13081 tion substantially diametrical opposite from that in which it is shown in Fig. 2 the tar et is delivered, having. escaped from the hol' er 1 in a manner which will later be described. In making this outward movement the tripping-finger 23 passes the projection 22, rocking the shaft 22, but in the direction which accomplishes no result. Having delivered the target and passed the dead-center, the momentum of the arm tends to carry it around the circle; but it is finally brought to stop by the spring 11, which is again placed under tension to some extent. The arm 8 not being caught at this time swings back under the influence of spring 11 for the mechanism hereinafter described the arm 8 after vibrating backward and forward would finally come to a standstill, with the arm 8 projecting substantially in the direction of the length of the frame 6, but in a very undesirable position for reloading and where it would need to be reset by hand by the loader; but when the arm 8 makes the backv ward swing the trip-finger 23 enga es with the projection 22', which operates t e'rockshaft 22 and trips the catch 19, releasing the bar 12 and allowing it to move toward the spring 11 and releasing the spring 11 from tension. This occurs at a time when the throwing-arm is, already making its return movement, and its momentum (the tension on spring 11 being released) will be sufiicient to carry it around to its starting position, where it is caught by the catch 24. All these movements just described take place in the small fraction of a second and while the operator still continues to move the lever 15 through the medium of the chain 1'7. The

in the end of the spring-bar 12, and the continued movement of the lever 15 draws out toward the left, as shown in Fig. 1, the springbar 12 until it is caught again by the catch 19, and the spring is thus again immediately placed under tension ready for a succeeding throwing operation. When the. setting-lever 15 is released, it, together with the chain or cable 17 is returned to starting position by the spring- 70. The arm 8 cannot d8, scribe a complete circle in either direction without striking the spring 11, which in case of imperfect adjustment or otherwise will serve as a cushioning stop for the arm. In throwing, the target escapes from the holder by reason of centrifugal force, passing out or forcing its way out throughthe contracted space between the holding projection 48 on the arm 47 and the opposite ,arm of the holder consisting of parts 40 and 41. In so doing it opens the arm 47 to a position where the notch 61 in the catch 60 comes opposite the post 43-. The catch is then thrown into locking position by the spring 62, securing the arm 47 in its open position. This leaves the holder in a position to be readily reloaded without effort of opening the arm 47. In loading the loader inserts the edge lever 15 immediately engages with the pin 18 toward its starting position, and were it not of the target in the space between the parts and 41, engages it with the arm 63 of the catch 60, and as the target is forced into position it trips the catch 60 and allows the holding projection 48 to come forward and grasp the tar et in the usual manner.

The evice is arranged toeither throw the targets in the same direction continuously or at what is known as known angles, or it is arranged to deliver the tar ets by chance at unknown angles. When t e trap is to be set to throw at known angles, the position of the frame will be adjusted accordingly by rotating it around the post 3 as a center, and then the bolt 4 will be allowed to engage with the base 1, securing it in that position,where it may be operated as much as desired. Also it may be adjusted to another fixed position by releasing the catch 4 by means of the le ver 4 and rotating it to another position, where it may again be secured.

In case the trap is to be used at what is known as unknown angles the bolt 4 will be held out of enga ing position with the base 1 by tying up t e bolt-operating lever 4 to the handle on the lever 3 immediately above it. The arm or lever 3 is connected to a hatchet-pulley 71 by a connecting-rod 72. The ratchet-pulley 71 is mounted .on a vertical ivot 73 on a fixed foundation or base, an the ratchet part is adapted to be engaged by a pawl 74, mounted on the foundation or base and provided with a spring for throwing it into engaging position. The

teeth of the ratchet are irregular in size and arrangement, as will be noted by reference to Fig. 2. The operating chain or cable 17, heretofore mentioned, passes from the lower end of lever 15 over a carrying-pulley 75, supported on the parts 6 and 3, thence arounda pulley 76, mounted on a vertical shaft or support, under the base 1, and thence around the pulley portion of the ratchet-pulley 71 and thence to a suitable operating-lever or pull device 77, arran ed at or near the shooters position. It will e noted that the operation of these parts is substantially as follows: When the operator draws on the chain 17 by operating the lever 7 7, the friction of the chain around the ratchet-pulley 71 will rotate it in the directionin which it is free to rotate, and it will be more or less promptly caught by the pawl 74. When the pull on the chain 17 is released and the chain is returned by the spring 70, it will slip in the return movement around the ratchet-pulley 71 more or less. Thus the ratchet-pulley is rotated with more or less uncertainty in one the catch 4 will be held out of operation by When the tying up the handle 4 thereof. trap is used at known angles, as before mentioned, the connecting-rod 72 will preferably be disconnected from the lever-arm 3 by displacin it from pivot-pin.

It Wlll be noted that the trap is first tripped and then reset by an operator at or near the shooters position, while the loader at the trap has only to reload it, which he easily and conveniently does by reason of the targetholder being always automatically'returned to the set position, with the holder in open position. With this trap targets can be thrown with very great rapidity and comparatively little labor either by the operator or the loader.

It is evident that numerous changes and modification may be made in and from the construction herein described without departing from the spirit of my invention.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a target-holder for throwing-traps the combination of a frame and a spring-actuated arm and a catch arranged to secure the arm in open position and be enga ed and tripped 'by the target when inserte in the holder, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination with a target-throwing trap mounted on a vertical pivot to be angularly adjusted and having an operating chain or cable passing therefrom, of an angleadjusting mechanism consisting of a ratchetpulley around which the chain or cable is passed, a pawl engaging with said ratchetpulley and a connecting-rod between a crankpin on the pulley and the target-throwing mechanism, substantially as set forth.

In witness whereof I have aflixe'd my signature, in. presence of two witnesses, this 25th day of July, 1904.

ELIJAH D. FULFORD.

Witnesses:

M. E. ROBINSON, EMMA S. HESSE.

ICC

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